Foot holder for a cast table



Aug. 4, 1964 H H. STRYKER FOOT HOLDER FOR A CAST TABLE Filed March 1, 1962 ATTORNEYS HOME/P H. STRYKER United States Patent 3,143,110 FOOT HOLDER FOR A CAST TABLE Homer H. Stryker, Kalamazoo, Mich, assignor to Strykcr Corporation, a corporation of Michigan Filed Mar. 1, 1962, Ser. No. 176,741 4 Claims. ((31. 128--48) This invention relates, in general, to a device for engaging and supporting a human foot and, more particularly, to a type thereof which can be mounted upon a cast table for holding the foot in a selected position while a cast is being applied to the foot and/or part of the attached leg, and which can be easily and quickly removed from said foot after said cast has been formed.

Various types of foot supporting devices have been used by members of the medical profession for the purpose of supporting a human leg, and particularly the foot portion thereof, while a plaster cast is being applied thereto. It is well known that such a cast is often used to hold a broken foot and/ or leg in the proper position while the break mends. It has long been recognized that a foot supporting device for this purpose must be capable of firmly holding the foot in a selected position while the cast is being applied thereto without causing discomfort to the patient. Furthermore, the foot holding device should obstruct a minimum of the surface area of the foot so that the plaster cast can be as complete as possible before the foot holding device is removed therefrom. Such an arrangement would minimize undesirable movement of the foot after the cast has set, particularly where the break is close to the ankle. Existing foot holding devices have been incapable of fulfilling this need.

For example, many of the foot holding devices presently in use must be removed from the foot before the plaster cast can be completed, particularly around the foot and ankle. Thus, the cast must be patched, sometimes extensively, around the foot, after the holding device is removed to protect the foot and ankle against movement which might impede, if not prevent, the proper healing of the limb. Such patching can weaken and/or damage adjacent parts of the cast. Also, it is desirable to minimize such patching of the plaster cast because it prolongs the period required to apply the cast and, therefore, often increases the discomfort of the patient.

Further, many of the known foot supporting devices are heavy, cumbersome and diflicult to clean after they have been used.

Accordingly, a primary object of this invention has been the provision of an improved foot holding device,

particularly adapted for use with a cast table, which device reduces to a minimum the amount of work which must be done upon a foot cast after the foot holding device has ben removed from the foot and which minimizes the time required to apply a cast to a foot.

A further object of this invention has been the provision of a foot holding device, as aforesaid, which is light in weight, easy to manipulate, easy to clean after use and which is comfortable.

A further object of this invention has been the provision of a foot holding device, as aforesaid, which can be mounted upon existing cast tables and which is easily and quickly adjustable into a variety of different positions to assist the doctor in placing and holding the foot in exactly the right position before and while the cast is being applied thereto.

A further object of this invention has been the provision of a foot holding device, as aforesaid, which is extremely simple in its operation, which can be manufactured relatively inexpensively, and which can be removed from a foot after the cast has been applied thereto 3,143,110 Patented Aug. 4,, 1964 with ease and with no harmful effects upon the foot or the cast.

Other objects and purposes of this invention will become apparent to persons familiar with this type of equipment upon reading the following description and examining the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the foot holding device and structure for supporting the same upon a cast table and showing a foot positioned therein.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded, front end view of said device that is a view taken from the leftward end of FIGURE 1,

with the ankle engaging strap removed therefrom.

FIGURE 3 is a bottom view of said holding device as seen in FIGURE 2 and rotated counter-clockwise, with the strap removed therefrom.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IVIV of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a fragment of FIGURE 4 with the sole plate in a different position.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view substantially as taken along the line VI-VI in FIGURE 4, with parts of the strap clamps omitted.

For convenience in description, the terms upper, lower, front, rear and words of similar import will have reference to the foot holding device of the invention as appearing in FIGURE 2. The terms inner, outer and derivatives thereof will have reference to the geometric center of said foot holding device and parts associated therewith.

General Description The objects and purposes of the invention, including those set forth above, have been met by providing an improved, foot holding device, which is comprised of a base member preferably capable of secure, but releasable, mounting upon a conventional cast table of the type used by the medical profession when applying a cast. A heel member is secured to the base member and has a concave surface for embracing the end of the foot adjacent the heel. A substantially fiat and elongated sole plate is removably (preferably slidably) supported upon the base member so that it will engage the sole of a foot, the heel of which is engaged by said concave surface.

Two strap engaging members are secured to the base member, preferably on opposite sides thereof, for holding a strap which extends around the arch of the foot to hold the same against the sole plate and heel member. The holding device is mounted upon the cast table by support structure which is preferably capable of adjusting the holding device into a variety of different positions, and thereafter rigidly fixing said holding device in the desired position.

Detailed Construction The holding device 10 (FIGURES 1 and 2), which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, includes a base member 11 (FIGURES 2 and 3) fabricated from rigid sheet material, such as stainless steel, and having a flat, substantially rectangular base plate 12. The base plate 12 has substantially parallel flanges 13 and 14 which are integral with and extend in the same direction from said base plate at the opposite ends thereof. A tubular receptacle 17 is rigidly secured at one end thereof to the base plate 12, preferably near the center thereof, so that it extends substantially perpendicularly from said base plate in the opposite direction from said flanges 13 and 14.

An arcuate, heel-engaging member 18 (FIGURES 2 and 3), which is preferably fabricated from rigid sheet material, such as stainless steel, has a pair of edge portions 21 and 22 adjacent one axial end thereof (FIG- 3 URE 6). The edge portions 21 and 22 are rigidly secured to the opposing surfaces of the flanges 13 and 14, respectively, as by welding. The edge portions 21 and 22 are spaced slightly and similarly from the base plate 12 to define therewith opposing slots 23 and 24, respectively, providing first slide means whose function will be explained hereinafter. The heel-engaging member 18 is arcuate in cross-section and has a concave inner surface for embracing the end of a foot adjacent the heel. The central portion 26 of the heelengaging member 18 is preferably sloped toward the flanges 13 and 14, as appearing in FIGURES 2 and 4, at an angle approxi mately the same as the slope of the heel 27 (FIGURE 1) on a normal, human foot 28.

A sole plate 31 (FIGURE 2) which is preferably flat and elongated, is arranged and constructed (preferably from a sheet of stainless steel) so that the lengthwise edges 32 and 33 near one end 34 thereof and which provide second slide means are slidably receivable in the first slide means provided by the aforesaid slots 23 and 24, respectively. The edges 32 and 33 are preferably slightly convergent toward the end 34, of the plate 31 and the flanges 13 and 14, or at least the mutually opposing surfaces thereof, preferably converge in a similar amount toward the heel member 18. Thus, the end 34 of the sole plate 31 can be wedged between the flanges 13 and 14 to hold said plate within the slots 23 and 24. However, this holding effect can obviously be accomplished. by other means. The lower edge 35 of the sole plate 31 is preferably ad jacent the lower edge 36 of the base plate 12 when said sole plate is properly held inthe slots 23 and 24.

The sole plate 31 (FIGURE 2) is preferably of approximately the same length and width as the foot with which it is to be used. Accordingly, sole plates of different lengths may be provided for use with a single base member 11. The width of the upper end of the sole plate, may also be varied. However, a base member 11 and heel member 18 of one size may be used for feet which vary in length and width through a rather substantial range.

A pair of strap clamps or buckles 38 and 39 (FIGURES 2 and 3), which are substantially identical in this particular embodiment, are secured to the base member 11 on opposite sides thereof. However, it will be apparent that said clamps may be substantially different than those shown and, in fact, may be different from each other if desired or required. The strap clamps 38 and 39 are arranged and constructed, as detailed hereinafter, for the purpose of engaging and holding spaced portions ofa fiat, flexible strap 42 which may be of any convenient and conventional type. It will be apparent that one of the strap clamps 38 and 39 can be replaced by some form of permanent strap anchor (not shown), which is connected between one end of the strap 42 and the base member 11. However, for the purposes of convenience in use and sanitation, it is desirable that the strap 42 be capable of complete removal from the remainder fo the holding device 10.

The clamp or buckle 38 (FIGURE 2), by way of illustration, includes a substantially channel-shaped, support member 43 having a central plate 44 which is either rigidly or pivotally supported upon the flange 13 of the base member 11 by the rivet 46 (FIGURE 4). The rivet 46 also assists in securing the heel-engaging member 18 to the flange 13 of the base member 11. A clamping lever 47 is pivotally supported upon the pivot pin 48, which is secured to and extends between the flanges 51 and 52 on the support member 43. The clamping lever 47 has, adjacent the pin 48, a transverse projection or eccentricity 53, which may be serratedand which co-operates with a trans-l verse gripping member 54 on the plate 44 to grip a strap 42 disposed therebetween. Thus, upward movement of the strap 42, as appearing in FIGURE 1 is positively opposed by the lever 47 when it is in its FIGURE 2 position. However, when the lever 47 is moved into its FIGURE 3 position, then the strap 42 can be moved both upwardly and downwardly between the projection 53 and gripping member 54.

The strap clamp 39 (FIGURE 2) includes a support member 43a, which is supported by a rivet 46a (FIGURE 6) upon the flange 14 in substantially the same manner as discussed above with respect to the support member 43. A clamping lever 47a is held upon the support member 43a by a pivot pin 48a for the purpose of gripping the strap 42 in substantially the same manner as discussed above with respect to the clamping lever 47.

The holding device 10 (FIGURE 1) may be adjustably supported by the support structure 57 upon a cast table, or the like, a horizontal element of which is indicated at 53 in FIGURE 1. More specifically, the support structure 57 includes a vertical post 5% which is adjustably (both slidably and rotatably) supported in and by the post receptacle 62 on the horizontal element 58 of said cast table. The post receptacle 62 may be a permanent part of the horizontal element 58 and may have been used previously for engaging the support structure for an existing type of foot holding device. A clamp screw 64 having a handle 66 is threadedly received into the post receptacle 62 for engaging the vertical post 59 and thereby holding said post in the desired position with respect to the post receptacle 62.

A post receptacle 67 is rigidly mounted upon the upper end of the vertical post 59 for adjustably (both slidably and rotatably) holding a horizontal post 68. A clamp screw 69 having a handle 70 is threadedly engaged with the post receptacle 69 for causing same to grip tightly and thereby hold the horizontal post 68 in a selected position with respect to said receptacle 67. When the screw 69 is loosened, the'post 68 can be moved lengthwise along or around its lengthwise axis with respect to the receptacle 67. A handle 72 is provided on the post 68 for facilitating the foregoing movements thereof, particularly when a foot is supported in the holding device 10. The post 68 is slidably and coaxially received into the receptacle 17 and is held therein by a pin 73 which is slidably received through corresponding and aligned openings in the post 68 and the receptacle 17.

Operation Under normal circumstances, the support structure 57 may remain attached to the cast table element 58, even when the holding device 16 is not in use, for the purpose of supporting other devices, or simply to reduce the time required to mount the holding device 10 upon the cast table when its use is desired. The holding device 10 is easily and quickly prepared for use by sliding a sole plate 31 of the appropriate size into engagement with base member 11 and inserting a strap 42 into one of the strap clamps 3d and 39. The receptacle 17 is then sleeved upon the post 68 and the two. are positively held with respect to each other by appropriate insertion of the pin 73.

The foot 28 (FIGURE 1) of the patient is now placed in the holding device 16 with the heel 27 thereof resting upon the heel engaging member 18, so that the toes point upwardly, and with the sole thereof bearing against the sole plate 31. The strap 42 is now threaded through the other one of the strap clamps 38 and 39 and broughttightly against the arch of the foot 28, as appearing in FIG- URE 1, so that the foot is held in firm engagement with the heel member 18 and the soleplate 31 whereupon the clamps are closed to hold the. strap in such position. Under some circumstances it may be desirable to increase the securement of the foot 28 to the holding device 10 by wrapping a bandage, indicated by broken lines at 74 in FIGURE 1 around the upper portion of the foot 28 and the sole plate 31.

The holding device 1!) can now be adjusted to position the foot 28 and the leg attached thereto as desired or required. For example, by loosening the clamp screw '64, the vertical post 59 can be raised and lowered with 75 respect to the receptacle 62, and post 59 can also be ro.

tated around its vertical axis. When this adjustment has been completed, the screw 64 is tightened and the clamp screw 69 can be loosened so that the post 69 can be moved horizontally along its lengthwise axis or rotated therearound. The doctor or his assistant can effect this movement by using the handle 72. There may be occasion when a substantial amount of traction must be applied to the foot or leg while it is being set and before the cast can be applied thereto. Accordingly, the holding device not only serves to support the foot 28 but also to position the foot and the leg in the correct position so that proper knitting of the injured limb will be able to occur after the cast has been applied thereto. When this positioning has been accomplished, the clamp screw 69 is tightened and the plaster cast can be applied to the foot.

After the cast 75 has been formed and has set, the sole plate 31 is moved from its broken line position 31a in FIGURE 2 through its solid line position and thence through the cast 75 away from the base member 11. Because the sole plate 31 has downwardly converging edges 32 and 33, it is easily and slidably removable from within the material of the cast including the bandage 74 (FIG- URE l) which may be wrapped around the foot and the sole plate prior to the application of the cast material thereto. The sole plate 31 is relatively thin so that the increase in space adjacent to the sole of the foot 28 created by the removal of the sole plate will not materially affect the holding and/or positioning of the foot.

After the sole plate 31 has been removed, the clamps 38 and 39 are loosened and the strap 42 is pulled through said clamps and around the arch of the foot 28. Thereafter, the remainder of the holding device 10, which includes the base member 11 and heel-engaging member 18, can be easily removed by pulling it away from the foot through the opening in the cast adjacent the heel of the foot. It will be seen that the cast can extend over the heel member 18 a substantial distance because the heel member 18 and base plate 11 can be slid away from the sole of the foot. If necessary, additional plaster can be coated over the bare portions of the foot 28 adjacent to the heel 27 and toes thereof. However, these openings are frequently left open for ventilation purposes.

After cleaning the sole plate 31, the strap 42 and the combined base member 11 and heel-engaging member 18, with the strap clamps 38 and 39 thereon, the holding device It) is again ready for immediate use.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed above for illustrative purposes, it will be understood that variations or modifications of such disclosure, which come within the scope of the appended claims, are fully contemplated.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for holding a human foot while a plaster cast is being applied thereto, comprising:

a base plate having flange means along opposite edges thereof extending in substantially the same direction and defining opposing surfaces;

a thin, arcuate heel member having end portions rigidly secured to the opposing surfaces of said flange means, each of said end portions having a substantially straight edge parallel with and spaced from said base plate, said flange means and said edges of said heel member and of said base plate defining a pair of grooves opening toward each other and converging slightly toward said heel member, said heel member extending substantially perpendicularly away from said base plate and having a concave surface facing toward said base plate;

an elongated and fiat sole plate means having straight lengthwise edges substantially throughout the length thereof, said opposing surfaces of the flange means and said straight edges of the sole plate means converging toward one end of said sole plate means, said edges near said one end being slidably and snugly receivable into said grooves so that said sole plate means is parallel with said base plate, said sole plate means being adapted to be substantially embedded within the plaster cast with the other end thereof exposed, and said convergence of said edges being adapted to permit sliding removal of said sole plate means from within said plaster cast and out of said grooves;

a pair of strap-engaging clamp means secured to said flange means on opposite sides of said base plate, and strap means engaged by said clamp means, said strap means being removably engaged by at least one of said clamp means, said pair of clamp means being positioned so that said strap means will be engaged thereby when it extends over the arch of a foot supported upon said sole plate means with the heel thereof against said heel member.

2. The structure of claim 1 including a receptacle rigidly secured to and extending perpendicularly away from said base plate on the opposite side therefrom said flanges, and support structure including a post removably receivable into said receptacle for mounting said foot holding device upon a cast table.

3. A device for engaging and holding a human foot, comprising:

a substantially fiat base plate having a pair of opposite edges;

a thin, curved heel member secured to said base plate and extending away therefrom in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto, said heel member having a concave surface facing toward said base plate;

an elongated and substantially flat sole plate having one end removably mounted upon said base plate and parallel therewith;

first slide means connected to said base plate;

second slide means connected to said sole plate and slidably engageable with said first slide means for removably holding said one end of said sole plate upon and parallel with said base plate so that said sole plate extends from said base plate in a direction substantially parallel with said opposite edges and away from said concave surface, said sole plate being slidably movable in said direction to disengage said first and second slide means;

an elongated, flexible and substantially non-extensible strap; and

a pair of strap engaging clamps connected to said base plate near said opposite edges, said clamps being releasably engageable with spaced portions of said strap, and each clamp having strap engaging means for preventing movement of said strap in said direction while permitting movement of said strap substantially in the opposite direction.

4. A device for engaging and holding a human foot,

comprising:

a base member with a substantially flat base plate having a pair of opposite edges, said base member being substantially channel-shaped and having upstanding, substantially parallel flanges extending along said opposite edges;

a heel member secured to said base member and extending away from said base plate in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto, said heel having a heel engaging surface facing toward said base plate;

means on said base plate adjacent said opposite edges thereof defining a pair of substantially parallel grooves, said grooves being substantially parallel with and adjacent to said base plate, said means defining said grooves including portions of said base plate, said flanges and said heel member, said portions being adjacent said opposite edges of said base plate;

a pair of strap-engaging clamps mounted upon said base member near said opposite edges of said base 10 2,319,609

plate, said clamps being respectively and pivotally connected to said flanges; and

strap means engaged by said clamps, both clamps being releasably engageable with a pair of spaced portions of the strap.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Bergamini Dec. 29, 1942 Crosse May 18, 1943 

1. A DEVICE FOR HOLDING A HUMAN FOOT WHILE A PLASTER CAST IS BEING APPLIED THERETO, COMPRISING: A BASE PLATE HAVING FLANGE MEANS ALONG OPPOSITE EDGES THEREOF EXTENDING IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME DIRECTION AND DEFINING OPPOSING SURFACES; A THIN, ARCUATE HEEL MEMBER HAVING END PORTIONS RIGIDLY SECURED TO THE OPPOSING SURFACES OF SAID FLANGE MEANS, EACH OF SAID END PORTIONS HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY STRAIGHT EDGE PARALLEL WITH AND SPACED FROM SAID BASE PLATE, SAID FLANGE MEANS AND SAID EDGES OF SAID HEEL MEMBER AND OF SAID BASE PLATE DEFINING A PAIR OF GROOVES OPENING TOWARD EACH OTHER AND CONVERGING SLIGHTLY TOWARD SAID HEEL MEMBER, SAID HEEL MEMBER EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULARLY AWAY FROM SAID BASE PLATE AND HAVING A CONCAVE SURFACE FACING TOWARD SAID BASE PLATE; AN ELONGATED AND FLAT SOLE PLATE MEANS HAVING STRAIGHT LENGTHWISE EDGES SUBSTANTIALLY THROUGHOUT THE LENGTH THEREOF, SAID OPPOSING SURFACES OF THE FLANGE MEANS AND SAID STRAIGHT EDGES OF THE SOLE PLATE MEANS CONVERGING TOWARD ONE END OF SAID SOLE PLATE MEANS, 